Yesterday afternoon a friend and I watched the 1978 film, “Superman – The Movie,” at my house. I must be a romantic, because I choked up at the scenes of Lois Lane and Superman. I wished that there were many more scenes of the relationship between the two, instead of numerous scenes of the antics of Lex Luther.

I have a relationship with cartoon characters. Cutouts of Disney-like creatures are stuck to my cabinets and closet mirror doors with Sticky-Tack, ready to be assembled into popup cards.

At times I think how lucky I am that I never faced real hardship. I missed the Vietnam War by being in grad school. My parents’ marriage lasted over 50 years, until my dad passed. My marriage is going strong after almost 40 years.

My career was blessed with my creative projects in my classroom. My many hobbies over the years have been fulfilling. My retirement during its 10 years has been wonderful. My pension and health benefits are more than most have.

Yes, I tend to look on the sunny side of life. When I pray, I pray that all people will respect and care for one another. Even as my mind simultaneously wanders to the atrocities in Syria, and other corners of the planet, I think of the day when all of God’s creatures will live in harmony and in peace.

[img]2457|right|||no_popup[/img]I have, for most of my life, believed that one day we will be visited from another planet. I believe that those much more intelligent and peaceful creatures will teach us how to live. Or they will threaten us with extinction if we do not change our ways and live in peace.

Then, at certain infrequent times, such as today, when I saw my friend almost helpless with Parkinson’s, and when I struggled to physically aid him in the bathroom, you might think I would accept a more stark reality and come to my senses, realizing that nothing really changes.

You might think that. But what did I do after he left? I stared at my cutouts and said to them, “Thanks for being there.” Mighty Mouse stared back at me and said, “Here I come to save the day!” 
 Thank goodness Mighty Mouse is on his way.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com